Tributes to pensioner who died following road traffic collision

The family of a woman who died following a road traffic collision have paid tribute to their “selfless and loving” mother.

78-year-old Barbara Mary Wheeldon died following the collision which occurred around 10.50am in Twyford Road, St Albans.

The circumstances of the collision are unclear, but it appears that a Tesco delivery lorry was exiting the delivery yard of the Tesco Express, shortly before the collision took place. An air ambulance attended the scene but sadly Barbara died as a result of the injuries she had suffered in the incident.

Barbara Wheeldon leaves behind her two sons, daughters‐in‐law and a granddaughter Rebecca, and many friends.

In a statement her sons Brian and Colin, said: “Mum was born in Norwich, Norfolk and moved to St Albans in her late teens when her dad took the job as branch manager with the Halifax Building Society.

“After finishing school she attended a secretarial college before taking up a job as a typist at Bleak House in St Albans. After being a full-time mum in our infant years she worked as a nursing auxiliary in the physiotherapy department at St Albans City Hospital.

“Mum was a wonderful mother – she always put us first and would often worry about us, always checking to see if we were okay. She was so caring that she gave up work to care for her father who had dementia in his later years. After Grandpa died mum became a respite carer for people with dementia in St Albans. She was so selfless and loving and genuinely wanted to help people.

“Faith and the church were also very prevalent in mum’s life and she regularly attended the Baptist Free Church in Marshalswick.”

They added: “When she was not busy caring for others mum would relax with a book. She was a prolific reader who regularly visited the local library and would also source books from local charity shops.

“We grew up in Evans Grove in St Albans and mum lived there until 2008 before downsizing to a property on Jersey Farm. When mum was relocating from Evans Grove she insisted that her new home must have a garden – she loved being in the garden and loved flowers.

“People in Evans Grove have been in touch after hearing about what happened on Monday. Even though Mum had not lived there for years she still had a place in the hearts of her old neighbours, who all speak so highly of her. They remember her kindness and the fact that she was always smiling and laughing.

“We have had so many messages from people who knew mum expressing their condolences and telling us how sad they are at hearing about what has happened. We would like to thank them for their thoughts, cards and kindness over the past few days – it has been a real comfort.

“We are still trying to come to terms with this tragedy and what has happened to our mother, who was also a much loved mother–in–law, grandmother and friend.”

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